Nonprofit offers veterans second career through commercial drone pilot training

A nonprofit called Vets to Drones trains former service members for commercial drone work, offering a route into civilian careers after military service. Its founder, Marine veteran Chris Lewis, says military field skills transfer well to the industry, which can also provide veterans with a renewed sense of purpose and community.

The organisation has nearly 8,000 members, and hundreds have earned commercial pilot licences from the Federal Aviation Administration. Trainees have gone on to support search and rescue, farming, disaster response and security operations. After Hurricane Ida, the group used drones to create a 360-degree aerial view of affected areas.